MASH theme in Merrill blood drive

MERRILL (WAOW) - With characters like Klinger, Radar and Trapper John, the TV show MASH was a hit in the 70s and 80s.

Nowadays, MASH lives on closer to home.

It's the theme used for the Merrill Blood Drive, which at 18 years and running, is actually 7 years longer than MASH was televised.

So workers decked out in camouflage and dog tags assist those who give blood.

Angela Brumm/P.R. Specialist, Community Blood Center: "It is a lot of fun. The donors really have a great time. The people of Merrill are so supportive of blood donation and we really appreciate everyone who makes it a point to come out and donate."

This time of year it's especially important for people to give.

Brumm: "Blood donations usually decrease in the summer. Students aren't in school, a lot of us are on vacation. We're in summertime patterns and we're just not thinking about donating blood. But that doesn't mean that the need goes down. So in the summertime more than ever it's important for people to donate blood."